Google Search defines writer’s block as ‘the condition of being unable to think of what to write or how to proceed with writing’.
Now, for non-writers, to put the pain of this condition into context, writer’s block is equivalent to you drawing in your breath, not knowing how to expel it through the very nostrils which so easily inhaled it a moment ago.
Dramatic? Perhaps.
For writers, however, the proposed analogy is not at all incongruous with how they felt during those moments of creative blocks.
In fact, let’s face it boys and girls: writer’s block can pretty much be the scariest prospect to surmount.
Not only because of what writer’s block entails in practical terms – namely the sudden uncertainty on how to coordinate words onto a page.
But also because writers are absolutely clueless as to how long such condition will last.
But taking those to whom writer’s block occurs almost every time they try to jot down a few lines; how, if possible, could you overcome this brick wall of wordlessness?
Like most things in life, the answer lies within the mindset one has vis-a-vis a problem.
Taking me for example, I realised writer’s block is not to be viewed as a challenge against stubborn words reluctant to foam in my mind.
No. For me, writer’s block is ultimately about deciding.
Deciding, in particular, whether what I could write is what I should write.
Yes, while writer’s block can indeed feel like a period of voidness of words (as per Google’s definition) it is, in fact, a period of not being able to decide; of dithering between jumping into the pool of words or keeping on the edge of the scary cliff.
That’s right, writers, you’re not facing writer’s block, you’re facing a ‘dare block’.
We all know what we could write. We just don’t know if to write it or not.
Thus, successfully defeating writer’s block, has got more to do with believing that, when I “dare jumping”, whatever I try to write, whether sounding terrible in my mind in the moment, or even worse, straight garbage, is best jotted out on the page as just that: garbage.
For, once the garbage is on the page, it can be tweaked, revamped, and can ultimately lead to the very creative spur that so eluded you a few moments ago.
Conceived in this way, writer’s block becomes not only a trifle state of mind, but also one that will never present itself as a block as such.
But rather, it will be the absolute free space where one will allow himself to write “the random” that will lead to the precise goal.
So, fear not, wordsmiths. Just write.
Achike Morgan
© Copyrights 2023 Achike Morgan.